How to Be Better: At Leading Yourself

Welcome to the first newsletter of the year!

The start of a new year is full of possibilities—a fresh chapter to set goals, make progress, and build the habits that define who we want to become.

This year, “The Be Better Academy” will continue to deliver short, actionable insights to help you improve your mindset and performance. My goal is to make each issue practical, so you can take something meaningful away every time you read it.

Let’s start strong with the foundation of all personal growth: self-leadership.

When you think of leadership, you might picture managing a team, running a meeting, a captain of a sports team, or guiding others toward success.

But here’s the twist: the most important person you’ll ever lead is yourself.

Self-leadership is the foundation of everything else. It’s about taking ownership of your actions, thoughts, and habits to create a life that aligns with your values and goals.

So, here are three actionable ways to be better at leading yourself:

1. Start by Defining Your Vision

Imagine being a ship adrift at sea. No map. No captain. No destination. That’s what life can feel like without a clear vision.

• Ask yourself: What do I want my life to look like in 6 months? 1 year? 3 years?
• Write it down. Be specific.
• Break that vision into actionable, daily steps.

Your vision is your personal north star. Once it’s clear, even small daily decisions will move you in the right direction.

2. Build Non-Negotiable Habits

Self-leadership thrives on discipline. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight, but you do need to keep small promises to yourself.

• Identify 1-3 habits that will move you closer to your vision.
• Make them non-negotiable. These habits are the foundation of your self-leadership.

As someone who runs my own business and works a full-time job, building non-negotiable habits early was key. One non-negotiable habit is prepping my priorities the night before. Before I close my laptop, I spend 10-15 minutes identifying the top three things I need to accomplish the next day. That way, I wake up knowing exactly where to focus—and avoid the trap of reacting instead of acting.

3. Lead Yourself Through Challenges

I've worked with and study great leaders. One key trait I noticed is that great leaders don’t crumble under pressure. They view pressure as a privilege.

They find a way forward, even when things are hard. The same applies to self-leadership.

• Practice emotional regulation: Pause before reacting to setbacks.
• Reframe failures as learning lessons: Ask, What is this teaching me?
• Stay committed, even when motivation fades. Motivation is like a pitstop. Don't rely on it to get you to your destination.

Here’s a truth most people don’t talk about: persistence isn’t glamorous. It's ugly. It’s messy, frustrating, and often invisible. But persistence is what separates people who lead themselves from those who let life lead them.

Note to self

Self-leadership isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing the right things better. The better you are at leading yourself, the more confident, resilient, and effective you’ll become. Not just for yourself, but for the people around you.

The world doesn’t need perfect leaders; it needs people who are willing to lead themselves first.

Take Action Today

1. Write down one habit you’ll commit to this week.
2. Comment or reply: What’s your personal north star?

If you found this helpful, subscribe to “The Be Better Academy Newsletter” for more actionable tips to elevate your mindset and performance.